The Birkenhead MP said: ‘There are 98 members on temporary contracts in Birkenhead going to be laid off because its the end of their contract period.

‘We’re likely to still be having real problems with the roll out of universal credit, I had five cases last week – one with a woman reduced to living off 7p.’

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Mr Field, who spoke during work and pensions questions in the Commons, added: ‘Might some of those staff, if not all of them, be redeployed to make sure there is the smooth transition from traditional benefits to the new one.’

Later in the question session Labour MP Chi Onwurah accused the Government of taking away free school meals. (Picture: PA)

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said she was happy to talk to Mr Field about his concerns.

Later in the question session Labour MP Chi Onwurah accused the Government of taking away free school meals.

She said: ‘Universal Credit has only just started to be rolled out, that will only make things worse.

‘Her Government is also taking away free school meals in the future. What is the level of child poverty that she is willing to support?’

Ms McVey denied the charge, saying: ‘Actually 50,000 more children are going to have free school meals. It is not true at all, these scaremongering stories.’

She added: ‘We have now got a million fewer people in absolute poverty, a record low. We’ve now got 300,000 fewer children in absolute poverty, a new record low, 500,000 fewer working age adults in absolute poverty, a record low.

‘This Government is about helping people get into work.’

Mr Malthouse was asked what measure of poverty was more accurate, relative or absolute. (Picture: Cate Gillon/Getty Images)

Work and Pensions Minister Kit Malthouse was later slammed in the question session for a ‘facetious’ comment about measures of poverty.

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Mr Malthouse was asked what measure of poverty was more accurate, relative or absolute.